How to cure social anxiety
83Social anxiety is the third largest psychological disorder in North America, there are millions of people in America with this mental disorder and there are many more that dont look for help, because they are afraid or because they dont think there is a cure for it.
Many adolescents and adults with social phobia have accepted themselves with this disorder and they just think that is they personality and there is nothing that can be done to treat it.
However, that is wrong because there are effective treatments for social anxiety, in some people the effects are quicker and in others are slower, some people have more severe anxiety than others. There are also different types of anxiety disorders like performance anxiety, public speaking anxiety, generalized social anxiety, etc.
How can you cure your social anxiety?
There are different treatments and medications available that if you ask your physician will tell you.
These are some of the most common types of medications:
antidepressant medications:
- Prozac
- Zoloft
- Paxil CR
anti-anxiety medicines
beta blockers:
- Atenolol
- Propranolol
There are also therapy treatments like:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
you can find help with:
- psychotherapy
- Group therapy
- Psychologist
- Psychiatrist
- Social Worker
Now, you should be aware that there is no magic quick solution, medications can be very effective in severe cases to reduce anxiety and depression, but most of them will not cure social anxiety and produce side effects like nausea and headaches.
- On the other hand behavioral therapy can be very effective and does not have any risks. Here the psychotherapist will try to identify your beliefs and assumptions, then he will make you understand that you beliefs are irrational and that there is no reason to be afraid and then he will change your thoughts patterns and beliefs so you can no longer feel fear of people.
A person with social anxiety is too self conscious and you should change that focus of your self and be more open and curios to what other people do and want. Most people have the same doubts and fears as you, is just that they are not too self conscious so they dont focus too much on their thoughts all the time.
People with social anxiety
Most people that have social anxiety, do not seek help and try on their own pass for 3 stages:
- Stage one: Silence
- Stage two: Risk Taking
- Stage three: Failing
In stage one means that they are in silence they avoid social activities, meeting people and dont want to take any risks, they feel safe being alone on their own so thats what they do.
On stage two they have taken the decision to take a risk and push themselves forward to a social situation.
In stage three is when they fail, they took the decision to go out and face a social situation but then they didnt get positive results so they go back to stage one. Some people achieve positive results and move forward, but most people that fail just go back to their previous life in silence.
You should not be trapped in that cycle you can cure your social anxiety if you take the proper steps to recover, professional help from a psychotherapist and a little medications can help you make the change easier.
There are some general tips that can help you cure anxiety those are:
- Exercise regularly
- improve your sleeping
- avoid caffeine
- Expose your self gradually to anxiety situations
- Avoid smoking
The true recovery begins when you take the decision to seek help and push your self forward, its important to change your beliefs first, so you dont have to rely on just your will power. Talk with your physician or psychotherapist.
Highly Recommended
- How to overcome social anxiety
Here is a Report that will show you How to Really get Over Social Anxiety, phobias, insecurities, lack of communication skills and any personality disorders with Self Therapy Easily. - Symptoms for social anxiety disorder
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it can be overcome
Yes I agree with the other Joe it certainly can be over come with a little help and a lot of support from your loved ones.
im afraid of birds and i need to know how to get rid of my fear without encountering it
actually, smoking (nicotine) helps social anxiety sometimes
Social Anxiety leads me to lose faith in everything , even in God , which is disasterous . I don't know what to do . I was doing great when I had to be among people , but when I got alone for sometimes , all the previous , devastating beliefs returned to haunt me again and I'm now in stage one , unfortunately . I find social anxiety the most destroying mental inllness ever
I can't explain it but, I'm 28 and still face S.A.D. I have had it since I was young and it has not gone away at all. I have tried to overcome it by facing my fears, but it just doesn't work that easy. I do great when I'm around people I know (family, friends, co-workers, interviews) but when it comes to meeting new people such as parties, school ect. I don't do well at all. Public speaking is out of the question because I just cannot do it. I know my confidence is a big issue because I don't have enough of it. I feel that I'm not smart enough and that I lack common sense and people are just going to make fun of me. I resort to alcohol in social situations at parties. I can't seem to accomplish any of my dreams in life because of this such as my career or school. I always quit everything I ever start. Some of my symptoms are crazy, but I want to share them. When it comes to school (new people), interviews, and speaking in groups I worry to much about what they may be thinking about me. It seems to be always negative. I feel that I'm making a fool of myself and therefore triggering a panic attack. My symptoms are loss of breath, fast heart rate, stuttering, loss of memory, shaking (hands & mouth), and a ever so often twitch of my head. This is sooooo embarrassing to me. These awful symptoms are so intense to me that I feel that everyone can notice them as well. I just don't know what to do anymore. I want to overcome this and be strong and successful in my life. Thank you for taking your time to read my story.
Great information... I have been a sufferer of anxiety for years and have some info on a hubpage of mine about anxiety also.
kmh81 i fell your pain....I have alot of the same symptoms that you described. If only I knew how to fix it.
hey kmh81, i can feel what you are experiencing right now.
dear friend, first we got to make a firm belief in your mind that "social anxiety" is an imaginary problem.
The biggest enemy is not someone outside in this world, it is within us, "our mind", my friend.
Please visit the following link too:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Cure-your-Social-Anxiety
We will definitely overcome!
I am the same way as kmh81.. I can talk to people i've known forever (like family and close friends from years ago), but whenever I talk to someone new, I always think that they must think that i'm such an idiot, and make such a fool of myself. I repeat through that cycle of silencing, then attempting to be more socially active. Sometimes I can get pretty far, but eventually fail, then start all over again. It really sucks, I have a boyfriend, but no best friend, or many friends for that matter. I switched schools during my sohpmore year of highschool, and It has been extremelly difficult for me.. I havn't really talked to my family about it, because I know that they will think it's all in my head, and that i'm perfectly fine. They wouldn't understand
@ B
Don't think that your family won't understand. While they may think it's just a phase or a temporary problem in your mind, if you continue telling them about it, showing that you're concerned for yourself, they will take notice. They may not understand exactly what you're going through, but once they see that you're worried about it they'll try their best to help you however they can.
i have been suffering for two years now. i am only eighteen and i couldn't even attend my own eighteenth birthday. i feel alone although i know i'm not. i just can't do anything social and it's past the stages of depression. it's taken over and i want it to stop.
Hi does anyone else notice that in some situations it can be complety worse than others, im the same as most people, if i know ppl well then i am realy like any other person, but as soon as im away from my friends in a social situation i get bad social anxiety, also has enyone else noticed that it gets worse if you have seen the people round town after you have been in a social situation? you feel extremly ignorant and thats what leads to failure with me it is awfull, just want 2 be normal
dan m, i know exactly what you mean except i can't be around friends, there are maybe one or two i can be around, the rest has to be family. I am just a shell of the person i used to be. i want to be normal.
I hate it when my head twitches because i get so freaked out in certain situations i feel there is no cure it's horrible.
i hate it i dont like to speak to people i dont know like ill walk half a mile to another busstop just to avoid speaking to someone i know will try to make conversation its ruining my life, im addicted to weed which only makes i worse but the reason i started smoking it in the first place was because of my low self esteem, i failed school, quit college, havnt had a girlfriend i fucking hate it
i am the same andy except i don't take buses either and i rarely go out. its as bad as it can get for me, i have contimplated weed to be honest to try calm me down but apparently it amplifies paranoia and anxiety so thats no good. i hope your ok if u wanna chat?x
i cant believe i've found so many people who feel the way i do.i thought i was alone. i started going to therapy but its once every two weeks and i don't think its helping much.i haven't seen friends in years i never want to go outside in fear i will be judged or humiliated. i have only a few friends and i don't really have a family to talk to. the depression is getting worse. i feel like a horrible mom because,my daughters school complains she's always late or absent because i'm struggling to get out of my home everyday having panic attacks. drinking does work but i cant nor do i want to drink everyday just to help deal. does anyone know if there is a support group for this?
GUYS WHO CARES IF THEY JUDGE YOU...THEY OBVIOUSLY DONT MEAN SOMETHING IN YOUR LIFE IF THEY ARE GOING TO JUDGE YOU. IF SOMEONE DOES JUDGE YOU, ITS NOT GOING TO KILL YOU EVERYONE GETS JUDGED SO DONT LET IT GET YOU DOWN. YOU SHOULD BE WORRYING ABOUT BIGGER THINGS IN LIFE. WE WERE PUT ON THIS EARTH SO WE MAY AS WELL ENJOY EVERYDAY OF IT, AND IF YOUR NOT GOING OUT OR ATTENDING SOCIAL EVENTS BECAUSE OF THIS, YOU ARE WASTING YOUR LIFE AWAY. APPRECIATE WHAT YOU HAVE AND ENJOY YOUR LIFE!!!!
Hi guys
You should check this link out, it may explain some things. It really helped me out a lot : http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/beating_an
It could be worse people take my story for example. I have been living with SA as long as i can remember. I found it getting better through the years as i grew in confidence and began handling social scenarios better. Then in my late teens i lost my hearing in one ear. This was a big blow as it made me become even more self conscious in certain scenarios. Now i tend to stay away from most social gatherings altogether. What makes it worse is the fact that i shake and sweat when in these social gatherings. I then be conscious that im doing these things and it just ends up increasing the problem. Its hard to talk to anyone about it because people that don't suffer from it just don't understand how big of an impact it can have in one's life. I feel like im just wasting my life away...
OK I am 14 and in the last two years I have found out that I am for some reason I am very shy but it's like I can't talk in a conversation or I think there's just nothing to say. So I found out that I'm shy because of trumadic events that have accurd in the last four years. I have relised that I was never been shy before those events accured but now I have S.A.D from resent deppresion that I may be still suffering from but I don't know what to do about it. SAD has made me stay away from social events and I have asked my parents what I should do about it and they just say u should get out more and that just leads to more problums. So I need a cure.
its nice to see there are other people facing the same issues, im 19 and i try my hardest to stay away from social situations- ive lost my friends due to the fact that i loose the ability to function around people, other then family and a select couple. i dont know what to do either! i resorted to drugs and alcohol but that is NOT a solution, it just amplified the problem a million times worse then what it used to be.... has ssris helped anybody?
Just over a year ago was diagnosed with the social anxiety disorder.
I probably had it my whole life, or since I was about 8 years old.
one of my first thoughts was: Is there a cure for social anxiety? or am i stuck with it?
So I kind of started a quest for finding a social anxiety treatment or any other way of overcoming social anxiety.
Hope you all do great in finding a solution to your problems.
Hi all, I suffered from anxiety too. Glad to see people talking about their situations. I found alot of info on this site. www.anxiety-attack-symptoms.net hope this helps
Thanks everyone for sharing your stories; they are all greatly appreciated! I am also facing the same issues and find my social anxiety is getting worse. I am only 19 and feel as if my life revolves around my problem. Some people understand, while others say it is just a faze and everyone goes through it. My mother says I am too young for medication, so I feel the need to self medicate with drugs and alchohol. I know drugs and alchohol aren't the right solutions but I feel like it's my only way of feeling normal and keeping myself sane. Thanks for listening!
Hi nfb19
Please for your own sake do not use alchohol or drugs. These things will only make things spiral even further out of control. Stay away from all stimulants, especially caffeine and alcohol. I had this for 5-6 years, what helped me was cognitive therapy and changing my eating habits. This might sound strange but alot of what happens in your head comes from what you put into your body. After going on a hypoglycemic diet my mood changed drastically and my anixety is almost = 0. Look at the link i posted earlier on this thread.
I'm nineteen and I've suffered from social anxiety since I was in grade school. My mom tells me that I was much more outgoing before I started second or third grade. Sometimes my anxiety will be alot worse than other times. Sometimes I can talk to people and I will be fine and then other times I have... I guess an anxiety attack. My hands will shake, my face will go red, and my heart will race. Sometimes I will even feel light-headed. I can't look people in the face without shaking or worrying they notice. Lately, I've noticed it happens when I'm having to speak in front of more then one or two people, but sometimes it's worse when I talk to certain people. It seems I feel less comfortable around people my own age than people who are older. I also notice I get very anxious when I'm having to do something new. For example, I work in retail and I usually work in apparel but sometimes they call me to the registers as a backup cashier. At the register I will get extremely nervous and my hands will shake and I'll forget what I was trained to do. Once I forgot my employee number even though I had memorized it weeks before.
I try not to purposefully avoid people or situations and expose myself and overcome this, but when the physical reactions are really bad I just want to runaway. I'll stay in the bathroom or in the car between classes instead of going to the Student Lounge at my Community College, I'll avoid my co-workers at work if they're all gathered together talking because I can't carry on a conversation without having a panic attack. I've read that S.A.D. usually starts as a result of some bad childhood experience, but I had a very good childhood. My family has always been very supportive, you could say I was sheltered too much, but I don't think that's why I'm this way either. I may not have a lot of self-confidence in social situations, but I'm not unhappy with who I am. It's not as if I normally have very low self-esteem. I think my biggest problem is that I always try and guess what people are thinking and I'm always afraid they will think I'm stupid or naive. I'm terrified of embarrassing myself. It used to be that if I embarrassed myself in some little way I would rehash it in my head over and over again. I've managed to stop that a little, but the fear of embarrassment is still there. I don't know why I feel this way only when I'm around people because I don't think I'm stupid or that that's anything particularly wrong with me besides being socially inept. I'm more afraid they'll notice how socially incompetent I am than anything else. If it weren't for the physical symptoms than I would be okay. I could function. I just want to know how to overcome this so that I can show people who I really am. I am not a quiet little mouse who is too afraid to do anything. Around my family I'm a totally different person than I am with people I'm not as familiar with. Because of this disorder I can't form close relationships with anyone even friends I've had for years. I can't find anyone outside my family that I can feel entirely comfortable with. If I could only conquer the fear of showing my fear I think THAT would lessen my anxiety alot. When I'm in a class and it's getting near my turn to speak my thoughts will be, "Oh no I'm going to start shaking, my face will turn bright red, my voice will shake. They'll notice. They'll see."
I think I'm very intouch with how I feel and with myself and I'm sure that must be a step in the right direction, but where do I go from here? How can I overcome these physical symptoms that are so debilitating?
I am 18 and on medication. which I am gutted about. I have lost touch with all of my friends and I used to be a really social person. after reading all of your stories, I see I am not alone. If anyone wants to talk. I will add them on MSN. Let me know. :)
and sam. i relate to you. 100%
hi guys, im from india, this social anxiety dropped like a bomb when i was 18 and its been 4 years since.
this severity can sometimes get unbearable. tried the cognitive therapy advised by psychtrist, she advised exposure therapy also, it was a real flop n didnt work.
cant look any one in the eye, malls, movie theaters seem to have a big red danger sign before them, Trust its absolutely Ludacris.
I dont come online much at all, but this was one of those days when i felt i wanted to find out more about this phobia. I landed up here and reading your comments really helped because i couldnt believe how similar and accurate yer symtoms were to mine. more importantly it assured me that i werent alone.
I had a real shitty and hopless day today, really.
reading your comments gave me a reason to fight for a life i had had. peace and always pray for a better day.
hey im charles and i also have SAD .. thank you so much for those stories. Sometimes, me and my wife argue about this, coz everytime she invites me ( for example, go to mall, movies, restaurants, etc.) i would always say that I'd rather stay at home, I'm very shy.. Couldn't talk to people I've known for years.. Like you guys I tried to face my fears play basketball, parties but ending up failing again..
First of all, when you've had this all your damn life you can't just ignore it and accept how people are (I could never either way). It's not anyone else's problem, it's ours. It doesn't matter if people are judging us or not. Our minds think others are and it is not controllable. It's not going to just go away. If you don't have the disorder you will never fully understand it.
No doctor has ever diagnosed me with it because they refuse to, but I know for a fact I do have it. I have been on almost all of the medications listed there and none of them work for me. Infact, most of them have made me very suicidal, as if I didn't have enough to deal with. I've been to over 6 therapists, group therapy, etc. I've tried absolutely everything. I can't even finish school because I can't function in normal society.
Everyone thinks I'm lazy and that I don't want to go to school. I'd love nothing more than to have a higher education, though. I've never even seen those 3 stages, either. Story of my life....
My relationships have fallen apart do to this disorder. I'll probably never get the job I want. Most likely I'll be at home with my studies in this cynical bubble.
Social Anxiety Disorder is having a major impact on my endeavors. Public speaking has always been a huge fear for me. One would think that after speaking in public so many times, it wouldnt be an issue. Some of my classes at school require me to present or briefly talk in front of the class. This is such a big fear for me. My heart starts pounding, and I feel that I am constantly being judged on what I am wearing, what I look like, and what I sound like. But in reality, I know that the audience doesnt care and probably is not even listening to what I am saying. I feel uncomfortable around people that I dont know and especially when it's my turn to talk in front of the group. I feel that only if I had more confidence in myself, I would be able to over come my fears. I cannot continue to be incapable of performing in social situations. I am dedicated to treat my disorder.
Wow! all these stories are shocking to look at. i kinda had a feelng I wasn't alone fighting this disorder but to read how exactly alike most stories are is a real surprise. I've suffered from SAD for as long as i can remember, starting in prekinder...i remember my mom taking me into my 1st day of school and I hid under a table the entire day!...I'm not sure if this is something that is part of family genes or what but this really hurts!!! what i mean by hurting is that it's hurting not only me but my family, i've got the best husband in the world..my children are awsome...we dont always get to do all the things we could because of my disorder. I grew up with a disfunctional family, (ie. always fighting)....so i kinda always remember being afraid/scared..i dont know if that had something to do with it, or it could be that i'm left handed, i've thought sometimes that left handed ppl's brain work differently.
What ever the reason may be for Social Anxiety Disorder....I can definetly say that I have suffered with this and have never been able to make friends, i always never could fit in when i was in high school. I hid behind a cubical, in a call ceter, where i worked for the past 9yrs, until i recently decided to quite, to face my fears, I've also threatended to leave my husband although he's done nothing wrong, just to be alone and face the social life on my own...I always feel i'm not smart enought,,, but at the same time i know i've got so much potential....but always afraid to take risks.....I'm in the process of going back to school to get some kind of degree...to feel a little smart.
We (my hubby and I) have so many dreams that I want so dearly to fulfill....
I want to be one of the many to overcome this "thing" and be able to share my story with you all..
I so believe that you are what you think yourself to be. So think of yourselfs and confident individuals and always walk with your head held high..after all we are all just people!!!
Now
Social anxiety really is awful, it can literally destroy your life, I have been sufferer as well. But I really think that everyone can get rid of it if they're willing to work with it.
Alex
Hi there, i am so pleased i have found this forum.
I have always been quite a shy person, to overcome my shyness i fell into the wrong crowd at school and began smoking weed- NOT a good idea!!
This made everything worse, i gave up smoking weed around a year ago , felt much better - then began taking lexotanil( that my boyfriend gave me to help me sleep) i started taking this daily- again NOT A GOOD IDEA!!
Iv just come off lexo 3 weeks ago and have noticed alot more anxiety and head twitches (which are truly humiliating) this means iv started avoiding going out all toegther even to my local shop for fear of these twitches.
I have booked myself into cognitive behavioural therapy next week and im praying this will help me.
I know im a nice and genuinely sweet person i just want to beat this awful condition.
I believe i can and i believe all of you can too you just have to believe you can.
I would love to know if theres a group anywhere as iv never met anyone with this condition.
I have same symptoms like kmh81 and I understand, I usually get very quiet in larger groups, when other people are talking...I totally switch from my usual self to extremely quiet, it's because I am in agony. Although I try hard to be like the others relaxed, it doesn't seem to be happenning...my voice will stagger. I am going for treatment for over 2 years now and it doesn't seem to be getting better, although my therapist thinks I am getting better... but the truth is I am more confident around people I know very well but not large groups of people I have never spoke much before...It is very destructive, cause as she describes you can't really think of anything to say at the moment because your memory is gone...I just hope there's some way out of this because I don't want to spend the rest of my life like this!! :(
I'm so glad that I am not alone and I can actually see that people can relate to what I'm going through. When I was young I developed this skin discoloration on my hand and that's when it started. All I would think about was hiding my hand so people wouldn't see it. I just wanted to be normal. This is what led to me having SAD. Even today I am 18 and the discoloration is gone but I still suffer from it greatly. It's like I always am thinking about what people are thinking about me and judging the way I look, the way I walk, talk, move, dress, everything !! People often think I am extremely paranoid because my eyes are constantly moving around looking everywhere very fast, if I am staring in the direction of someone and they look at me I quickly look in another direction and another direction and I can't help it all. When meeting new people the whole time I am thinking about what the person I am talking to is thinking about me. And I am thinking "make sure u look the person in the eyes" but I can't so I'll keep looking up at them and then off somewhere else and I can't help it at all. If someone says a bad comment about me It will constantly replay over and over in my head. I want to meet new people but I really can't because I'm always worrying about what people think about me. At parties I feel the need to always be around the few friends I do have or else I just go crazy. Over the past year I have felt like marijuana and alcohol are my best friends because they are the only things that seem to momentarily help out my disorder and let me feel comfortable with myself. I sat in the bathroom during lunch when I switched to a new school because I was afraid to sit next to people I don't know. I absolutely hate that this disorder has kept me in such bondage. And it really sucks because I know that I am actually normal at heart and a really nice guy, but it seems nobody will ever get to see the real me. My lip twitches when I talk sometimes, my hands shake and I can't help it at all :(. I googled my symptoms about a month ago because I thought I was alone for years and years but then I found out I had SAD. I want to think every one for posting there experiences and letting me know I'm not alone. THANK YOU AND I HOPE WE ARE ALL FREED FROM THIS TERRIBLE BONDAGE CALLED SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER.
what is the best way to treat social anxiety with 6yrs old daughter..pls email me at sweet_princess324@yahoo.com
My shyness and social anxiety haunted me for years. This was a very good post. The biggest thing that helped me out was when I met people that conquered their anxieties. It is possible to start controlling your negative thoughts and start overcoming shyness and social anxiety. Check out this video as well. http://www.Social-Dynamix.com .
I remember thinking that nobody can relate to what I was going through. It hard to believe the number of people that suffer with this. Keep your head up people. You are not alone.
Wow! reading everyones stories makes me feel so much better. I'm 18 and I have tried to avoid social situations for as long as I can remember. I just thought it was being shy but now I am thinking differently. I hate speaking in front of people, meeting new people, going into situations where I dont know anyone and I hate when I have to say something about myself in a circle of a ton of people. My heart starts to beat really fast and I get all sweaty. Its horrible. I cant bring myself to talk to people I dont know because I fear they can see right through my fake confidence. I have a couple friends and my family. There are even some extended family members I cant really talk to because I havent talked to them much in my life. I know it is all in my head but I am really tired of living this way. I try to put myself out there but I end up feeling even more stupid than I did before. I am starting college this month and to be honest I am terrified. I dont want to give presentations in front of huge classes, answer questions or have to talk to people I dont know. I am so glad to know that there are people out there like me and that I'm not alone :) I have read about people who have been cured so I know there is hope for me and for all of us :) We can beat this!
I developed SAD almost six years ago... i was in an overwelming experience meeting many new people at a party and it just hit me, panic attack and anxiety, i didnt know what it was and carried on feeling spacey but over a short time i continually internalised thoughts of inadequacy and fear about these re-occurring feelings and that just fueled the fire of anxiety. It wasnt long before I had a nervous breakdown, since then i have been recovering slowly and find that pushing myself in a situation can be painful and scary but once its over i am glad i have done it so i try to do this as much as i can. EFT was a technique that helped at lot at one stage and i intend to try again but like all potential cures, i try, and then let go of it when there aren't instant results.
I just want to be normal.
the worst thing is that my family and boyfriends family like to organise get togethers (seperately) so i find myself surrounded by a large group of people, even though I love most of them, who i feel 'obligated' to see in a social setting and makes me feel like a loser that i think of it like a chore instead of being completely relaxed. i feel like i am not appreciating the blessings in my life and will one day regret my avoidance of socialising but i just cant control it all of the time. Its so frustrating and this makes my depression so difficult to accept. I am also afraid of marriage because that would mean organising with people, inviting and hosting a kitchen tea, hens night etc. (i hate myself for feeling this inadequate and selfish)
i am a fairly intelligent person, i can type 80 words per minute, can speak three languages, have many educational pursuits which i am successfull at, love to write, am a really fast learner. what i am getting at is that i hate that i can focus on lots of things other than relaxing with other people and enjoying myself! sometimes i wonder why i am here if i can't feel at peace with myself.
i really hope one day that mental illness is taken seriously and not treated with an anti-depressant. Why cant scientists figure it out? i hope one day they do... until then i will live life the best way i can and be hopeful.
I was reading through all of these comments, and I had a panic attack... Christ... I'm only 16 years old and my social anxiety is so bad... I've had it for 2 years now. My parents ask me what's always wrong, and I answer with "I'm just tired." Or "I'm just bored." I'm tired of living like this. It makes my life a living hell, and I can't fucking stand it. I've had depression for the same amount of time and I want out. I'm trying to set up an appointment with my doctor, and I'm nervous about that too. School starts tomorrow, and I'm going to be a senior. I want help so I can have a fun Senior year and finally live a normal life.
Absolutely right, We have the same anxiety symptoms in our family, but when we start to work on breathing + diet, it goes the right way. I think mental work always help in many kind of disorders.
Absolutely right, We have the same anxiety symptoms in our family, but when we start to work on breathing + diet, it goes the right way. I think mental work always help in many kind of disorders.
it was very interesting to read everyones stories, i personaly dont get anxiety atacks such as shaking or sweating but inside i feel awefull. when people ask me questions about myself i feel embarresed and judged, i worry about social situations, if im walking down a street and i see peopel looking at me i feel paranoid and uneasy. Its the first time im reading about the condition becuase up to now i thought i was just very strange. I am 23 and for the past number of years i have put up a very self confident front to hide the condition, i feel if i tell family members about the condition they will just think i have lost the plot or that i am not serious. Anyway thanks alot for all your writings i feel much better i am not alone and am going to try and tackle this problem head on
i will sweat like i was in the Sahara dessert when people will look at me or even talking to a stranger especially outisde on the street! i want to control it but in vain! my heart will beat,sewating n smth i noticed is spasm of my trachea ,i cant breathe normally!! see ur are not alone n im 25 now suffering from it but trying my best to live as dont forget u have only one life time so fulfill it well!! had 3 girlfriends already as part of my therapy to combat anxiety n talking to girls on msn do help me in that one!! lol some more outings to places never been n inter acting to people makes me feel better!! goodluck everyone n do recover from this ordeal!!
Social Anxiety Disorder CAN BE CURED. No matter how hopeless you may feel, trust me, there are a lot of people who have overcame it and live a happy life. It is related to high anxiety. The clue to the cure is to eliminate your high anxiety. Once you stop the anxiety from the amygdala then you are good to go.
Visit http://www.stopocd.org for the cure.
This have been with me sense i was 8. It got all better until i had to move and went to a city where i know no one in. I tried to fit in but it was impossible. Tried to make friends but they just hurted me so i kept moving to diffrent schools and now i dropped out because i cant take anymore hurt from people. Even my friends r not that kind and now am ignoring them all. I just hope i will be able to get threw this.
So I have an interiew for a new job. It was supposed to be tomorrow but i was sooo anxious about it i emailed and said i had an appointment tomorrow could we switch to Wednesday.. The funny thing is still in my head i'm wondering if i'm going to go in to the GROUP interview. I really need a job and i want to overcome this but i couldnt bare it if i starting shaking and stuttering in front of everyone. I have weird phobias like taking things from peoples hands cause my hands will shake just thinking about it and then they'll notice. It's the worst cause if i have a beer or 2 i can usually be alot better with a social situation but still only with family, and my boyfriend. Cant go on like this.
Me personally I don't know if I have a mild case if SAD or something else but mine occurs when I'm in a 1-1 encounters likes dates. The worst that happens is that I get a severe stomach cramp that can only be relieved by going to the bathroom before hand. The second symptom is the loss of appetite. Seriously I can't eat if front of them at all or the cramps will come back. It usually passes after a few more dates but by that time they already decided that I'm probably weird so the relationships never progress any.
Thank you all for your stories, I can definitely relate to most if not all of them. And I feel much, much better for it - knowing that I'm not alone.
I've always thought of myself in the past as just being awkward or weird and it wasn't until I stumbled across a Social Anxiety Disorder website that a lightbulb went on in my head.
Ever since I can remember I've had palmar hydrohidrosis (sweaty palms) and I think this greatly contributed to my SAD. The sweating gets worse when I'm confronted with a social situation, coupled with blushing, dry mouth, stuttering and my mind just goes blank when I talk, resulting in a jumbled mess that eventually comes out of my mouth!
I have definitely stayed a little longer in changing rooms to avoid interacting with people, taken an alternative route so I wouldn't have to make awkward conversation with a particular person, stayed silent to avoid saying something I'd probably regret and stew over later, felt my heart pounding and continuously swallowing when introductions had to be made by everyone in a classroom situation, the sweating and shaky voice during presentations, the sleepness nights before the presentation! One of my favourite places in the world is my gym.. And although I see alot of "regulars" there, I'm scared to talk to them alot of the time, and am pretty sure I come off as weird or awkward.
In talking with groups, I tend to overthink what I'm trying to say and will only speak up once I've psyched myself up to do so. If I say something that comes out stupid or I get a reaction that I didn't want, I'll stew over it for hours and hours on end and may even lose sleep over it. Alcohol helps ALOT with losing these inhibitions.. And my friends have always commented that I'm a different person when I drink.
Bein a law enforcement officer has definitely been a challenge 'cos I feel like I have to put up this fake confidence just to get through jobs and interacting with not only the public, but my colleagues too. I've learnt to fake confidence somewhat, and always seem to be looking for clues from people around me that they can tell how I really feel.
One thing that I really, really abhorr though, is firearms training. Having to deal with a weapon with sweaty hands is a nightmare, and the trainers are usually unforgiving which can be a humiliating experience amongst your peers. The last training session I had was a week ago, and although I thankfully passed - I was so, so close to tears when I was constantly singled out.
I've just started on specialised medication for the sweaty palms though, so am finally starting to tackle this problem instead of finding ways to hide it after all these years!
Anyway, I hope my story has helped someone - and just know that we're all fighting this together and we will get there!
I have social anxiety. I have not always had it but seemed to get it about two years ago after I recovered from a major illness. I had been alone a lot during my illness and was afraid of dying, and at times came close to accepting that I was going to die. Once I recovered I felt so far away from everyone. Now I feel close only to one person, my boyfriend, and I think we may break up. I feel like I am going to have no one at all. I have trouble making friends. I do fine in high pressure situations like public speaking, debating and job interviews. I feel like I know how to act, I can really use my intellect. And I can do the Hello, how are you type of thing. Its the in between stuff, the friendship building, that I really have trouble with. I don't enjoy it, it's so painful. Anyway, i don't really know what to do. My therapist and I have been talking about it but it's not helped yet.
Hey guys,
I used to never suffer from social anxiety a couple years back, but I have a hard time even figuring out if it is social anxiety or not.
I am not fearful of what others are thinking of me, and I'm not scared to talk to new people.
When I am in large crowds or mainly, out to eat I start to feel dizzy, light headed, my vision gets blurry, my heat races, and I become nauseated.
Then I get freaked out about vomiting or showing that I am having an attack.
So maybe my anxiety is caused by fear of it? I just can't seem to figure out why I have developed this disorder and what is causing it.
I also want to know if anyone is can relate.
So if anyone could give me any advice I would really appreciate an email from you.
Thank you.
Jacqulinebell42@yahoo.com
Hi.myself Sephali. I am a software engineer. I am feeling I am suffering from Social Anxiety Disorder since 16 yrs. Here I am telling my pathetic story. When I was child I was talkative.Though I feel little shy when I see a new people but that is very rare. I usually talk with everybody. Then We shifted to a separate place. At the beginning little bit shy. Then I mixed well with our neighbours. I joined in a primary school. Same here at the beginning little bit shy then everything is fine. I was studing well in my school. I used to teach in my class in case our teacher is absent. I had lots of good friends. All friends are always with me. Then I joined class 6th in high school. Here new school. lots of new people. I had only 2 friends in our section. I did not talk with anybody. I rarely gave answer in the class inspite of knowing the answer becoz I am a stammer(Really Even today I dont know I am a stammer or not because When I read alone I speak everything fine. But When I speak infront of others I stammer a lot). Then 7th class, here all students are new to me. As I kept good position in class 6th so all were interested to make f'ship with me. I got few good friends. In this class I gave answer even if I stammer a lot . Then 8th class I rarely go to school because If I went to school Then I had to answer in the class. And I was a good student so I did not want to hamper my reputation. my 8th,9th and 10th were spent like this. In the tuitions I had friends as I was a good students. In the tuitions I always gave answers as I did not have any other way. I talked rarely with my neighbours. Even I did not talk with my realatives. I always avoid them. When I went to attend any function of any relatives, either I was with my sister else I was alone. I felt I did not know how to talk with others. I feel very odd in these situations.
My +2 and Engineering also went in the same way or even worse than that. My +2 result was very bad. I felt I am a worthless person. I cant do anything in life. After a lots of struggle I got job in a software company. Here also feeling the same. After 4 yrs I dont have any friends here. I hardly talk with anybody. I dont feel any desire to talk with anybodu. Sometimes I talk with my colleages but they are very rare. Since 2 yrs my position getting wosrer. I am feeling like I should commit suicide. These days I am not going for any party, picnic as I dont have any friends. What I will do without friends. I have only fiiend with whom I sit at lunch time. But I talk formally with her as sometimes She made fun of me. I also talk less with her. I am just afraid of any social activities. I never give a seminar. What a bad things are going on in my life since a long days. But As I ama software engineer I cannot avoid all these interaction. I am feeling like alone in my team. After 4 yrs these is not good increment in my salary. Also lots of problems I am facing. What I should do. I dont want to be a Software engineer anymore. Please show me way. Otherwise I dont have any other way except to commit suicide.
HEY GUYS, I THINK I'VE FOUND A SOLUTION !!!
WHENEVER I FEEL LIKE THIS, I LISTEN TO EMINEM'S SONGS LIKE 'TILL I COLLAPSE' , 'NOT AFRAID' , WHEN I'M GONE , WHERE I'M AT , BEAUTIFUL AND 'YOU DONT KNOW ...
ALSO LISTEN TO 50 CENTS-MANY MEN ..
THESE SONGS MAKE ME FEEL REALLY REALLY GREAT ..
I HOPE THIS HELPS YOU GUYS TOO !!
Why is it so emphasized and encouraged in this article that people with Social Anxiety should take meds!? Unless you have a serious chemical imbalance, like bipolar, manic depression, or schizophrenic, you should avoid psychotropic meds at all costs! They merely put a band-aid over a serious underlying issue that needs to be dealt with. Worse, they induce psychosomatic issues, damage your physical health, and create dependency. You are basically putting unknown outside chemicals into your body. There are mountains of age old and smart methods one can use to overcome this frustrating disorder. They are there for you if you seek them out. What's more is, you can always seek out a professional like a therapist specializing in these disorders. They aim to actually SOLVE the underlying problem behind the disorder, and can guide you on your freedom from this debilitating disorder. Don't turn to the easy out which is medication. There is a reason why it is such an easy out - there is a serious price to pay down the line. More people die from prescription meds than illegal drugs of all sorts.. Nowadays, how can you trust pharmaceuticals to put these man-made chemicals into your body, it is just not natural. What's worse is, most people have no idea what these drugs even really do. In the words of Heroin Bob: "Chemicals will fuck you up". That is the truth in its raw form!
Why is it so emphasized and encouraged in this article that people with Social Anxiety should take meds!? Unless you have a serious chemical imbalance, like bipolar, manic depression, or schizophrenic, you should avoid psychotropic meds at all costs! They merely put a band-aid over a serious underlying issue that needs to be dealt with. Worse, they induce psychosomatic issues, damage your physical health, and create dependency. You are basically putting unknown outside chemicals into your body. There are mountains of age old and smart methods one can use to overcome this frustrating disorder. They are there for you if you seek them out. What's more is, you can always seek out a professional like a therapist specializing in these disorders. They aim to actually SOLVE the underlying problem behind the disorder, and can guide you to your freedom from this debilitating disorder. Don't turn to the easy out which is medication. There is a reason why it is such an easy out - there is a serious price to pay down the line. More people die from prescription meds than illegal drugs of all sorts.. Nowadays, how can you trust pharmaceuticals to put these man-made chemicals into your body, it is just not natural. What's worse is, most people have no idea what these drugs even really do. In the words of Heroin Bob: "Chemicals will fuck you up". That is the truth in its raw form!
I have had SA since my school days , when I entered secondary school I knew no one and I was dyslexic I was bullied all the time and called stupid every day for 3 years while I was at this school my self esteem was ruined I never had a girl friend and I lost all my old friends ,I was left all alone in my teens while every one else developed normally I just became a hermit afraid of being humiliated by the bullies , now as an adult this period of my life had a devastating effect on my life leaving me introverted self conscious and afraid of social situations to the point of feeling physically sick at the thought of meeting people, what a waste of a life I think when I look back at all the things that I should have done but alas due to fear was left undone , in my 30s I decided to attack SA and even though I had success I still have it , I didn't have my first girl friend until I was 35 years of age but unfortunately she lives in Germany I spent 2 years out their but due to SA I had to come back to Ireland as it was to difficult to deal with trying to learn a new language and find a job in a foreign country
, I'm now going to try seroxat to take the edge of my SA as I'm sick of what SA does to me and try some more CT all the best to those who suffer in silence .
iam experiencing with anxiety as we speak! i feel so ...uncomfortable right now i think im having troubles breathing and is very unsecure about that matter maybe thats what is creating my distress... i was with my cousin earlier tonight and she knew about my problem i told her about my social anxiety and she was willing to help. She picked me up, me not knowing she had brought friends.. i jumped in the passenger seat and we took off to score some drugs for the night, by then i was probably at lvl 1 of whatever anxiety i have idk what it is that bothered me my heart started pounding i guess and i felt my face red tried trying to avoid it. i KNEW the others around me were very.......uncomfortable to an extent you LITERALLY!! ...cant explain. it was so akward and tense feelings that are happening to me that i do not know of and cant explain. only when im around people. except my family mostly. but i know for a fact they felt what i was feeling and its fuckn making me frustrated not knowing whats wrong with me and this affecting my entire life. 3/2/11 2:32 am
i dont know if i have this...im 14 years old and im doing really bad in my math and sience tests..when i look at the test my mind goes blank and i get really nervous..from then on i get headaches and worry what i got on my tests..if i fail them i get this terrible stomache and cry about my grade..im always quiet in class and hardly talk to other people i dont know..
i only talk to the people im very close to(like my best friends or family) i really dont like to go to parties or resturants with my friends..i get this weird feeling..its better if im alone..i would rather go with my parents instead...and i get too nervous when im speaking in front of the class room i dont give eye contact at al...i think i need help
Good read. From experience I know social anxiety is a treatable and curable disease, luckily. But it really takes some courage to admit to yourself that you have SAD, and even more courage to start doing something about it. I have some free social techniques on my website for anyone that's interested. http://www.social-anxiety-guide.com/
i have juct identified that i am sufering from S.A.D. and is it possible for me to recover without a pscychotherapist ..??
Hello everyone, I have been suffering from SAD for about 10 years now. It's truly one of the worst disorders out there I believe. This is the first time I've ever wrote about it on a forum. I've been researching it a lot more lately and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy seems to be working. It's slow progress but I believe it can be effective. I believe all of us are extremely courageous people for living with this but we all owe it to ourselves to do more and defeat it! We cannot accept our lives will be like this forever. I'm just about to graduate University and land my dream job but I'm terrified about getting it at the same time. My biggest problem is with people in authority like bosses or teachers or like many of you in new social situations were I don't have any friends there I freak out. I constantly have a negative thought process that's unrealistic but extremely difficult to break. But I'm determined! Let's get though this as a group. As I'm reading this thread I'm shocked at how big an issue this is. We need to start talking about this in the public and unite to overcome this. This much I guarantee if you overcome SAD quite literally nothing will ever stop you again in life! Let's do it!
im 25, and I have these same symptoms, i think its from being bullied and made fun of in middle school. i feel like i cant even hold a steady job because i dont want to leave my house. its terrible, its honestly ruining my life. i dont know what to do anymore. i need help.
Hi.
I am shocked to see so many people just like me.
I have Social Anxiety, and my life has been hell. I have no friends in college, in college i just go to class, and come home. I am currently in college, and i feel so depressed, and cannot study.
I work very, very hard, but my depression is really killing me. Some days, I just sit down and think about killing myself.
I feel so lonely and I feel like i am wasting my life.
I have missed so many opportunities in life. Many girls want to talk to me but I have such a low self-esteem that I cannot talk.
I am trying really hard to overcome but it is just so diffcult.
My parents are mad that I am failing. They think that I am doing poorly in college on purpose to anger them.
They cannot understand that I am just so alone and depressed.
I am trying to get over it, and I am talking to some people on Craglist and I hope that I can talk online first, and then be more comfortable in real life.
To make matters worse, I suffer from ADHD, and tale Focalin. However, Focalin only makes my anxiety worse. I also have a stuttering problem, and I stutter worse with my ADHD medicine.
no one understands the sadness and regret I have. I have just missed so much of life. I am 20 years only, and I have never had a youth. Never had a gf, never been to party, and for that matter never had friends.
I have controlling parents, which makes things worse.
I just hope that GOD or someone helps me. I am really a very nice person at heart, and when I get to know someone I really open up. I am very helpful.
I just don';t know why this is happning to me, and I don't know why I am so misrible while so many other people are living life to the fullest.
Hello all,
Im not sure if i have SAD or not. Reading these comments made me feel like i do. I'm a 28 year old man (although i still feel like a little kid), i have a business degree and also have an accounting designation. I had to go through a lot of public speaking courses and i had to have many social interactions. HOWEVER I do fear being with people 1 on 1 and not having anything to say. I hate being around new people. I fear blanking out and not being able to contribute to the conversation. Even being alone with my brothers my first initial thought is "what can i say" "what topic should i bring up" "what should i say about it" "how can i disengage this conversation in a natural way without looking ackward".
The only friends i ENJOY hanging out with are the ones that dominate the conversation. My closest friends ever were girls that talk a grab load. This gives me no pressure of picking topics to say or what to say because i can say my two cents and allow them to carry the conversation.
I cannot hold a conversation or lead one at all naturally. I can fake it but its not natural, i always feel fake or ackward sometimes talking to people and than i try to disengage the conversation by saying "oh i got to go" or whatever else. I want to ENJOY talking to people. I don’t want to FAKE it. I have faked many conversations and im sure i got away with it BUT at the back of my head i have always been SUPER self conscious. I’d like to connect to people so than i don’t get stuck in my head.
However, the weirdest thing is that i can feel comfortable when im around with people more ackward than myself. People who are “geeky” or “nerdy” i feel super super comfortable with and i act normal and not nervous. I feel nervous when people are “better” than me. Better looking, more fit, smarter, richer etc...
I do drink on the weekends with my friends. And when im doing that i feel most comfortable. Being buzzed allows me to feel comfortable and say stupid shit without feeling judged. I never blank out and if i do i make a joke, im super social when im not stuck "in my head". And i feel like alcohol does that.
However, i cannot have drinks during work or during the weekdays. I need an alternative. "Practicing" or public speaking wont help. I've done that, i've "faced" my fears but i always failed. I ALWAYS blank out and have no idea waht to say and i just focus inward than outward. I don't know what to focus on when im sober so i can stay calm and have a natural flow in a conversation. I need a PLAN, or a STRUCTURE for conversation. Some sort of blue print i can fall back on.
I don’t really want to try drugs because i just feel like in the long run you may harm your self physically. However, i do drink... sooooo maybe taking drugs wont be that bad? I don’t know. This however is limiting my career and my relationships. This problem comes and goes. Sometimes i can barely notice it because i’ve been hanging out with people that talk to so much that i totally ignore focusing inward. However other days i feel like shit and stay home and just watch Netflix/icefilms in my room. Anyways if youd like to chat you can msn or fb me.
Prosac cured me. I had the worst social anxiety imaginable before I started taking this medication.I couldn't go anywhere in public without thinking people were talking about me. I couldn't leave the house and wasn't in the mood to talk to even my family. I also had depression. Nothing was interesting to me and I felt like I had absolutely nothing to say. Prosac saved my life as I was suicidal. I would strongly encourage those who haven't tried it to do so, especially if you are suffering from depression too.
I was really shy as a kid and my social anxiety intensified when I was about 14. A prolonged bout of psychological and physiological stress caused me to crash and I haven't been the same sense. I've read a lot about how adrenal fatigue and hypoglcyemia can cause social anxiety, depression, generalized anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, etc.... I think this may be it as I have followed a hypoglycemic diet on three different occasions without realizing it and each time had a break through experience where I felt soooo much better without knowing why! So now I plan on trying the diet again and supplmenting large doses of b-vitamins, (especially B5) vitamin C, Zinc, magnesium, coconut oil, and plenty of cholesterol which is necessary to make the sex hormones from the adrenals.
I have gone without food for a couple days at a time to and noticed that on the second day I began to feel much more social. I was ok with going to the store, or being around people, then I would return to eating high carb meals and literally feel myself succumb to the social anxiety and fears causing me to withdraw and avoid people at all costs.
I really think it is an inability to properly process and utilize glucose for energy by the brain. This can be due to vitamin deficiencies or a sudden drop in blood sugar resulting in a rapid rise in adrenaline and cortisol (stress hormones) to try and raise blood glucose. This triggers the sympathetic nervous system that describes exactly what we with social anxiety experience. It is literally an overactive symapthetic nervous system (fight or flight response) that results in irrational fears, rapid heart beat, excessive sweating (hands, face) trembling, fast breathing, blushing, depersonalization, rumination, and feelings of dread. Whether this is a result of the modern diet, or a genetic abnormality in utilizing and absorbing nutrients is not certain. Could be both, but it could even be a result of your mother being exposed to high amounts of stress, or being wound up herself, while you were in the womb that helped contribute to a dysfunction in what is called the HPA axis that controls your response to stress. I read that a study was done on those with mood disorders (depression) and out of 1,200 people 86% of them had hypoglycemia, which is typically found among those who have adrenal malfunction or fatigue.
Social anxiety is a nightmare, but I am becoming convinced that it can improve with a hypoglycemic diet, increased vitamin intake (especially b-vitamins) and living a life that is free of guilt from doing things you know are wrong. Medication is a band aid that does not fix the biochemical source of the problem. It can help one cope, but it can never bring about true relief and recovery. Big Pharma isn't in the business of putting themselves out of business by curing ailments, but in treating chronic illnesses that nutrients fix, or at least improve without side effects.
Look up symptoms of deficiencies for Zinc, B6, B5, and magnesium. You'll find that those alone can cause a whole array of mood disorders....from schizophrenia to panic attacks.
I too have SAD only because I developed a speech problem over the years and it has gotten worse so I avoid opening my mouth around strangers. Doing drugs made everything but at the time I was doing so much better around people because I was high and didn't care but after the drug effect was gone, I was much more depress and just miserable. My girl is always correcting my speech, I miss spell words or say them wrong, I talked so much better as a teen, idk what's causing my speech to get worse an I'm only 30 years old....
i am 23.i am an indian.i am a student at a dental college.i have had social anxiety since 7 years now.earlier i did not know what it was.i thought it was just a part of me.only recently i came to know there's something known as social anxiety and there are others too who suffer from it and i am not the only one.
i always try to avoid social situations as much as i can.i am too scared to talking to anyone.i think i am really dumb and boring.while talking to someone,i go completely blank.i can't think of anything to say.even when i try to say something,its something stupid or inappropriate.i can't catch the flow of the conversation.my mouth starts trembling and i feel very panicky.i dont know whats wrong with me.i am fine at memorising stuff and producing it on paper during exams.i don't have presence of mind to answer in vivas or to do public speaking like doing a presentation in front of the class or even having a simple conversation with anyone(whereas its so easy for other people).
I am 21 yrs old and I have been suffering from this disorder for as long as I can remember. I didn't know what was wrong with me until recently, when I decided to look up my symptoms. It is the most debilitating and embarrassing disorder anyone can have and you don't understand it unless you have it. At times, it makes me want to cry because I just want to be normal. I have a 2 year old daughter and I don't want her to grow up with this! for me, it is almost painful to make eye contact with people, even family at times. & to have a coversation with someone that I don't know, forget about it! I just end up sounding like I'm slow & nobody ever gets to know who I really am. I am currently in school for medical coding and billing and I've been for about a year and I don't even have 1 friend from my class! I sit in the back of every class so nobody will notice me. when the teacher calls on me I get ecmxtremly nervous, I feel my face get red, n my voice gets really soft and I sound like a little girl, and I begin shaking. it is sooo embarrassing!! but I feel as if I will neverrrr succeed in life because of my social issues. I am smart and I know it, but when I start talking to people and they ask me questions, my mind goes blank and I just sound and look sooo stupid. I need help, I am just embarrassed to call up a psychologist about it and honestly, I can't afford it. I don't work, partialy due to this damn disorder. I wish I had at least one friend with the same issue to talk to and possibly we'd be able to help eachother. Its relieving to know that there is people out there that think like me.
I did not have social anxiety until junior year where I transferred schools and suddenly became so scared of impressions and now have s.a.d I used to be so loud and outgoing. Now I'm silent and shy and nervous. I hate this my fear all the time is that I look like a loner, I look like a loner because of my fear. Vicious cycle? Yes! Ugh I hate this
You guys should join us other sufferers at mapofmates.com
this shit ruins your life i used to be popular so happy and about 15 years old i got this cant even get called in class without turning red its dehumanizing... all i can say is of course its curable im strong enough to go through this bullshit so im strong enough to get out and therapy is probably the only way i got a vision of a confident me and ima get to it... i no it aint easy but its about manning up and goin through the situations that cause anxiety gradually... and for all those talkin about weed i think thats why im in this fucked up position since i started weed cuz of peer pressure this is how i got SAD and oh yeah SAD comes with severe depression too
i use to be anxious all the time result in my hands shaking i am so shy for that. i realize gradually that people do not need to worry about all things. when i feel anxious, i breathe deeply and focus on breath and i can control by this way. I remind myself no need to worry
Thanks for your comments, thwe. I suffered from SAD at work and many other social occasions. I think your suggestions like reminding yourself to be less self conscious and no need to worry too much should help.
Also, hope people who have overcome SAD can post some suggestions.
In reading this, I see a lot of typos and it kinds of makes me discount the quality of the article...
I've been suffering with S.A.D for quiet a few years. This mental illness effected everything. I can't keep friends because I can't even talk to them. I can't talk to anyone, like my parents, sister or even my boyfriend. I freak and freeze. I feel so messed up, holding everything in. When I do try to talk, nothing can come out. It made me depressed. I haven't been able to eat or sleep properly for a long time. I hate going in public, parties, interviews etc. My heart starts to pound, i sweat and shake. Its hard to have a normal day to day conversation. I've been trying to help myself with other peoples experiences and reading books on self help. but nothing seems to work.. This disorder makes me angry, frusterated and sad. I'm glad i'm not alone and a lot of people go through this with me everyday. I don't have money to spend on a professional. And i'm not taking drugs. One thing that I find helps me, is not thinking about it. If i catch myself thinking about it or something negative I try to think positive.
Suggestions would be very appreciated.. thank you
my boyfriend has social anxiety and it makes things really awkward when we see each other because he doesn't talk, I don't think it helps that he smokes and does weed but I don't know how I can help him, because I love him to bit's and I just want to be able to be with him and for us to talk not for us to be awkward. any suggestions would be much appreciated.
I've been shy for 6 years i tierd of it i just can't be like the other people in my classroom. And i HATE it when people tell other people that i'm shy because that ruins my chance to (maybe) be friends with them. It's strange how you screaming inside and feel locked up but no one notices. I really want to be my true self and not be scared to do that...
i'm not sure if this is my problem but i went into a pizza hut yesterday alone and immediatly went to sit down i didn't want to just stand there and then 5 minutes later found out i needed to wait to be seated i felt so stupid i wanted to leave but i stayed got seated ordered and didn't speah unless spoken too and i felt like such a idiot sitting there alone i felt small but like everyone was watching me i avoid my grandparents because all 4 of them are very sick and i just cant handle that and it's impossible to talk to them im always just above a whisper i didn't have any friends until high school and i got beat up daily for almost 9 years because i was weird i didn't talk i was physically abused by my principle for the first 4 years of school people scare me i examine my words before i say them to the point that there no longer relevant to the conversation i meet people and i avoid eye contact i have trouble controlling the volume of my voice even around my family the people i can be myself around there just so much wrong and i don't know what to do i don't want to be what i am i want a job but i get sweaty short of breathe and i want to run i can usually stay and get the interview but im obviously scared and i get turned down i want a family but i can't even talk to the women i date i want friends but i can't even really talk to the two i have unless i'm really drunk even faceboook even this message i feel like i'm just being totally foolish therapists haven't been any help medicine does but when they find a set that works they change it i feel like a science experiment and i'm even nervous waiting to go talk to them but when i get in there they just listen to me and then send me away they don't give input they don't tell me what's wrong i've tried to figure it out but i don't know i need help but i can't find anyone to help me
Welli have read all you stories but i feel worse than any of you. I am quite an intelligente woman in early forties, people look at me as a successful person, but those close to me find me stupid. I cant do anything without suffering panic attacks, i am gradually retreating from public speaking. Unfortunately right now i am at the university doing my Masters and it is so demanding, i want to quit, but i already have an opportunity for doctorate, what do i do
@lieta
first of its not uncommon to think your condition is worse than enyone elses since its so intence it seems inposible other people feel that badly without you seeing it. the truth is most people cart even see yours.
as for a woman in her forties your post dose point out that you are rather ''slow'' socialy .masters etc don`t really suport on ones scale of intelegence all your post points out is a selfcenterd twat. rare for your age. your friends seem to know what there talking about.
ps. no ofence (and forgive my english im from greece) :)
I am also suffering from SAD since long time but I can control my self from behaving like a moron in front of crowd or meeting etc. what makes us behave like that we think too much I mean that incessant thinking that has haunted us (us means all who are suffering from SAD). also I would like to suggest to all that we should engage ourselves too much with our work so that we hardly find anytime to ponder it. also watching television can help to reduce it a bit. While watching t.v we should imagine that the person is in the serial or movie is 'me' and I am doing all the things. it also helps. also enrage yourself about the behaviour (particularly yours) that have led you to feel embarrassment last time and committed your self that who the hell are they that I should behave like a moron in front of them. think they are also like us . They are not any special and if they found yourself hesitating still just stay quit for a minute and take long breath then start talking again.
one more suggestion: make contact with a person whom you can trust and share your problem with him/her. practice with that person and imagine that you are talking to numerous person.
Control your mind otherwise it will control you. Be more practical and enhance your score (eg initially you can talk to one person in secluded place then if you feel comfortable with him then arrange more person to make you feel better doesn't matter if you pay them money or lure them with something else and tell them that don't mock and laud you if you fumble again while speaking. Talk to yourself in front of mirror loudly . Trust me it all help a lot.
as I was also suffering from this disorder. But I managed to escape from it and now I have qualified a police officer exam in India where app half of millions of student were appearing for 900 vacancy but I emerged out to be a topper because I performed really well in interview by overpowering my SAD. I did wrestling at small level what I could not have even thought of. Now I took part in meeting and also address meetings.
Whenver I look back that what Kind of shit used to happen with me I just laugh on myself ...
Make steps to overpower it . And I hope you will also recover form it.
rest depends on your will power and perseverance.
Believ in your self. think everyone apart from you is big fool and you are the only one who was specially sent by god on earth.
to be angry on your self is a symptom that you are recovering .
take care everyone . :)
I'm 29 years old and dealing with SA for the past two years. I wasn't a loud, outgoing person before the disorder but I was quite content as a quiet person, and ENJOYED going to most places alone without feeling nervous. A few years earlier I suddenly became anxious whenever I walk across a intersection and usually avoid crosswalks. However I still managed to go places carefree.
I knew it was weird but I didn't give it too much thought. Almost two years ago, I decided to use the crosswalk and became really nervous walking cross the street. Once I reached the sidewalk, a man questioned why I walk stiff. Ever since I was fully aware of my walking style. I no longer enjoy going out on my own and even with other people, it's a huge task to do. I often have anticipatory anxiety before I leave the house and no matter how I try to "loosen up" and talk myself out of the fear of walking in public, everything I told myself goes out he window.
The things I used to love doing in social situations (not parties) makes me anxious. I developed muscle twitches, jerky movements, and muscle tension in my lower leg and a little agoraphobia. I hate feeling this way and feel my brain is shot due to this disorder. I can't help but think all eyes are on me wherever I'm outside. It's like going anywhere outside my house is a reset button, something I HAVE to do all over again. The days where I felt at eased being outside is like a distant memory and now I feel like never be the same again. :(
eh man 3 years ago
I have always been afraid of situations, WHY CAN'T I FLY LIKE A BIRD MAN WHO KNOWS WHO KNOWS CHA CHA RACKAMANLAMAPALAMANANAMALALAPALALA CHACARACKA